Share your mental health story and experiences

Why we're collecting and sharing stories

We believe that sharing our stories and experiences with mental health and illness is an important way of reducing stigma, raising mental health awareness, and building a sense of community.

Reducing stigma is difficult, and progress is hard to measure. But we hope that creating a platform for people to share their mental health story can be a way to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and illness. 

— Leah Shipton, Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder

Questions to inspire your sharing

Who are you, beyond your mental illness?

Tell us about your experience with recovery and mental wellness.

How have you supported a loved one in their mental health journey?

How do you practice self-care for mental wellness?

How have you overcome the stigma surrounding mental health and illness?

How might you use your experiences to help someone else with their mental illness?

What have you learned about yourself during your mental health journey?

Story Sharing Process

If you would like to share your mental health story and experiences with us to be shared on our website, social media platforms, or newsletters, then please complete the form below.

We understand that art, music, film, photography, spoken word, or other creative outlets are an important way of sharing your story. If you would like to share your story through these mediums, please email us at stories@outrunthestigma.ca. If you would like to primarily write your story and experiences, but would like a picture, video, or audio file to be posted alongside your submission then please complete the form below and follow applicable instructions.

If you have any questions about sharing your story, please do not hesitate to email our incredible Special Projects Director: Story Initiatives, Clare Hickie at clarehickie@outrunthestigma.ca.

Open Story Sharing Form

Share Your Mental Health Story and Experiences

Welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us!

First Name *

Location *

We gather this information because we would like to see the reach of our story sharing initiative!

Email Address

Enter your email address if we can contact you to learn more about the story, experience, and advice you share in the form below.

I give Outrun the Stigma permission to contact me using the email address above. My email will remain confidential and Outrun the Stigma will only contact me for the purpose of learning more about the story and experience I share in the form below. *

Yes

No

Story Sharing

We encourage you to share whichever story, experience, or advice comes to your mind. We listed seven questions/prompts on the Share your Story page to inspire your story sharing process.

Story Title

Story

Why is it important for you to share your story and experiences with mental health and illness?

Is there an image, video, or audio file that you would like displayed with your story? *

If yes, please make sure you have entered your email address in the previous section so our Special Projects Team can contact you.

Yes

No

How would you like to share your story and experiences? (Check all that apply) *

I give Outrun the Stigma permission to share my mental health story and experiences on the platforms I indicate below. Outrun the Stigma will only share my first name and location.

Website

Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Newsletter

Promotional Campaigns

Thank you and welcome to the Outrun the Stigma community!

We are here to offer a platform to share stories and experiences that illustrate the complexity and diversity of mental health and illness. With your contribution, our community grows and our platform can continue to reduce stigma!

How did you hear about our story sharing initiative? *

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Newsletter

Outrun the Stigma Chapter Run Event

Outrun the Stigma University Partner/Chapter Planning Committee

Outrun the Stigma Charity Partner

Poster/Banner

Friend/Family Member

TV/Radio/Newspaper

Other

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with Outrun the Stigma initiatives?

If yes, please enter your email address below.

Demographic Characteristics - Optional

One of our values is to be inclusive of diverse stories. Gathering the demographic information of people who share their mental health story and experiences with us is one way we can assess how well we are engaging diverse communities. Therefore, if you feel comfortable, share how you would describe yourself in the survey below. All of the information you share with us remains confidential. We will only use your demographic information to assess and illustrate (i.e. graphs/charts) the diversity of stories we are gathering. If you prefer not to complete the survey, please scroll to the bottom to submit your story.

Age

Under 12 years old

12-17 years old

18-24 years old

25-34 years old

35-44 years old

45-54 years old

55 years or older

Gender

Gender Fluid

Man

Other

Transgender Woman

Transgender Man

Woman

Prefer not to say

Ethnicity and Racial Identity (you can check more than one)

Black/African American

Caribbean/West Indies

Central Asian

East Asian

European/White

First Nations/Aboriginal/Inuit/Metis

Latin American

North African/Middle Eastern

Pacific Islander

South Asian

Southeast Asian

Sub-Saharan African

Prefer not to say

Sexual Orientation

Bisexual

Heterosexual/straight

Lesbian or Gay

Other

Prefer not to say

Ability

Would you describe yourself as differently abled?

Student

Are you a student?

Yes

No

Education

What is the highest degree or level of school you have completed?

Occupation

What is your occupation?

Employment

What is your employment status?

I give Outrun the Stigma permission to use the demographic information I shared in this form to evaluate its progress in gathering diverse story sharing initiatives. Outrun the Stigma will keep this demographic information confidential. *

Yes

No

Thank you!

We are excited to read your story and learn from your mental health journey. Keep an eye on the story section of our website for your story. We strive to post the stories within 72 hours of receiving them!

We understand that sharing your story can be emotionally distressing and vulnerable. If you need support please access the resources below:

If you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or someone else phone 911. For other support please call: